The response to my current blog series has been amazing, and it warms my heart to know I’m helping so many of you improve your websites. Although today’s topic might not be as exciting as your Home page or some of your other web pages, a Privacy page is also very important, but in a […]

The response to my current blog series has been amazing, and it warms my heart to know I’m helping so many of you improve your websites.

Although today’s topic might not be as exciting as your Home page or some of your other web pages, a Privacy page is also very important, but in a different way.

Do you need a Privacy Policy?

Well, no, you don’t need one – if you don’t collect email addresses, use Google Analytics to track user data, or display third party ads.

In other words, yes, you do!

One of your most important tasks is to establish trusting relationships with your website visitors. Without a prominently displayed privacy policy that details how you collect, use, and protect their information, many people will be reluctant to fill out your contact form, sign up for your newsletter, or purchase your digital products.

Many jurisdictions have laws around online privacy, but even if they don’t apply to you directly, it’s in your best interest to alleviate any concerns your visitors may have about using your website.

What to put on your Privacy Policy page

Let me start by stating that I am not a legal expert by any stretch of the imagination, but my understanding is that your Privacy Policy should indicate:

What identifying information you collect and why you collect it

Whether your website uses cookies and for what reasons

How you will use the information you collect

With whom you may share the information you collect

How people may contact you with questions or concerns

For an example, feel free to view my Privacy Policy, which I created with an app called Termageddon. It’s super easy to use – you just have to fill out a questionnaire and it generates a Privacy Policy based on the answers you enter.

As an Agency Partner, I received my Termageddon license for free and will receive a commission if you sign up through my link, but to explore other options, simply search for “privacy policy generator.”

Blogging may not be for everyone, but you can’t dispute the benefits that a blog brings to your website and your business. Millions of blog posts have been published offering tips on writing compelling blog posts. I’ve written quite a few myself! But have you ever stopped to think about your actual blog page? That’s […]

Millions of blog posts have been published offering tips on writing compelling blog posts. I’ve written quite a few myself! But have you ever stopped to think about your actual blog page? That’s what we’re looking at today, in the fourth post in my series about the key pages of your website.

Organization

For a blog to be successful, readers need to be able to find the information that interests them quickly and easily. This is usually accomplished by assigning your posts to various categories, but you need to be strategic about it. If you have too many categories, readers will get overwhelmed by the choices and won’t know where to look, especially if your categories are very similar and/or overlapping.

I confess right here and now that I have not done a good job of organizing this blog, partly because I combined two unrelated blogs into one. Sorry! For a better example, visit Your Organizing Business. The categories are clearly posted at the top, followed by an invitation to join the next Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival or a link to the latest Carnival.

Below that are sections with links to other posts likely to interest a first-time visitor:

Latest Posts

Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic – this section changes periodically; it was previously Top Posts from 2019

More Popular Posts – I update these from time to time as interests shift

At the end of each post, there’s a selection of additional posts on a related topic to encourage visitors to stay on the site and continue reading.

Layout

Full Posts

A traditional (shall we say “old school”) blog displays one full post after another. For an example, take a look at the Introvert Retreat blog, which is badly in need of an overhaul (it’s okay for me to say that, because it’s one of my own sites).

The advantage of this layout is that visitors can read your latest post without having to click on any links. There are disadvantages, however, the main one being that if the most recent post isn’t of interest, they have to scroll down to see earlier ones. The longer the posts, the more they have to scroll, and the more work people have to do, the less likely they are to bother.

Excerpts

This blog uses a variation of the traditional layout, including just an excerpt of each post with a “Continue reading” link. This makes it much easier for visitors to see earlier content, but it still requires a fair bit of scrolling.

Grid Layout

Most newer blogs make it even easier for readers to see current and earlier posts by displaying them in rows of boxes. The boxes may contain simply the post title and featured image, as on Good Life Photo Solutions, or include additional details and a short excerpt, as on Career Impressions. Ideally you want to include just enough information to compel visitors to click through and read the post.

Both of these examples display a set number of posts per page, but some sites, such as Kathy Stinson, continue to display more posts as you scroll down the page.

The options available to you will be dictated in part by the platform and theme that you choose, but if your current theme doesn’t allow you to customize the layout, you may be able to do so by using a plugin or other add-on.

Additional Elements

Other than your blog posts, you might be wondering what else should appear on your blog pages. As always, keep your target market in mind. What’s going to compel them to stay on your site and recommend it to others?

I suggest including the following:

Social sharing buttons on every post. Although many readers will be using browser extensions so they can easily share to their preferred platforms, you need to make it easy for everyone to do, regardless of the device or browser that they’re using.

In this third post in my series about the key pages of your website, I’ll be discussing the contact page. In case you missed them, the previous posts were: Is your website giving you strong results? Creating an Effective Homepage or Welcome Page Creating an About Page that Clicks Many businesses display their phone number […]

Many businesses display their phone number and/or email address in their header or footer so visitors can find it easily no matter which page they’re on. That’s a smart practice, but you should also consider having a dedicated Contact page.

Read on to learn why it’s important, find out what you should include, and see some great examples.

Why you need a Contact Page

You must make it as easy as possible for prospective clients to contact you. Those who don’t spend much time online may not think to look at the header or footer, and instead seek the word “contact” in your menu.

A separate Contact page also provides space for you to include information over and above simply an email address and/or phone number. This can save you and your website visitors time and ultimately reduce the number of calls or emails you have to handle.

In addition, giving people a variety of ways to reach you will help establish your credibility and the all-important “know, like and trust” factor.

What to put on your Contact Page

Your Contact page should include all of the ways you are willing to be reached.

I’ve listed below various types of contact information. You don’t need to provide all of the options, but I recommend offering more than one, as do other experts.

The more information you can provide, the more secure you make customers feel because if something goes wrong with a product or service, they know how to reach you.

Telephone Number(s)

As a general rule, you only need to list your primary phone number, but if you have separate numbers for different locations or departments, it makes sense to list those as well.

If your phone is only answered during regular business hours, your potential clients will probably appreciate knowing your schedule.

I’ve chosen not to include my phone number on my Contact page for various reasons, one being that I don’t answer the phone while I’m working on a project. Rather than playing telephone tag with someone, I supply a link to my appointment scheduler so we can plan to speak at a mutually convenient time.

Email Address(es)

As in the case of phone numbers, you can either display a central email address only, or provide email addresses for each department, as shown on the Professional Organizers of Canada website.

When you publish your email address online, be aware that you are exposing it to spammers. There are a number of ways to protect it, including:

Spell it out, e.g. info AT janetbarclay DOT com. This works, but it’s not at all user-friendly. You want to make it easy for people to reach you, remember?

Use a plugin such as Obfuscate Email to prevent your email address from being harvested by spammers.

Use a contact form instead of allowing visitors to email you directly. There are some advantages to this approach, which I’ll go over shortly.

If you post a contact form, keep in mind that forms can be challenging to complete on a mobile device, and some people simply don’t trust that a human will receive and respond to their message.

To help alleviate concerns and eliminate duplicate messages, indicate when they can expect to receive a reply, and be sure to provide at least one other method of contact.

Location(s)

If you work within a specific region, your Contact page should mention the geographic locations that you serve. This lets prospective clients know that you’re in their area and increases the likelihood of your site coming up in the results when they include this information in their search query.

If you have a brick-and-mortar business, provide your full address and possibly a map – ideally one that will allow them to look up directions from their own location. You should also include your hours of operation.

If you have multiple locations, you’ll want to list all of them, possibly necessitating a Contact page for each one.

Other Options

These days, we’re not restricted to the traditional methods of communication. If you welcome inquiries via live chat, Skype, or other online channels, these can also be listed on your Contact page.

Contact Forms

As mentioned above, a form allows potential clients to contact you without the need to publicize your email address. That’s not the main benefit, however.

You’ve probably received emails along the lines of “I would like to know more about your services.” With no information about the client’s situation, requirements, location or budget, you have no choice but to email them back with questions. It may take several emails back and forth to actually schedule an appointment or to simply discover that it’s not a good fit.

A contact form streamlines the process by allowing you to ask key questions up front, even if it’s as simple as “When is the best time to call you?” Well-worded questions also help the client to explain their needs more effectively. Just don’t make the mistake of asking so many questions that people get frustrated or feel that you’re being intrusive!

There are many different tools available, both free and paid, to create contact forms. My favorite is the Gravity Forms form builder plugin for WordPress, which I’ve been using for over 10 years on my own websites and my clients’. Here are just a few of the features I appreciate:

It integrates with email marketing services such as MailChimp, AWeber, and iContact, so people can sign up for your list simply by checking a box on your contact form.

You can set up conditional fields, causing different questions to appear based on their answers. For example, on my Organizer Interview Questionnaire, newer organizers who have been in business less than 3 years will see different questions than those with more experience.

You can design automated and customized email responses to confirm that the form entry has been sent to you.

You can also customize the message that appears on the screen once the form has been submitted, or even have a different page come up.

Personalize your Contact page

Once someone is interested in contacting you, do your best to keep them engaged. Your Contact page doesn’t have to be boring!

Customizing your contact form as I described above is a good start, but there’s much more you can do.

Don’t be afraid to show some personality! If the rest of your site is casual and light, use the same tone on your Contact page.

Including a photo or yourself or the staff member who’ll be responding to their inquiry can reinforce the fact that they’re connecting with a real person, not just sending words out into cyberspace.

Remember: your Contact page isn’t just to provide a tool for people to get in touch with you! Your ultimate goal is to facilitate connecting with potential clients so you can land their business quickly and easily.

Other Considerations

Even with a carefully crafted contact form, you may find yourself answering the same questions over and over. Filter these out by placing some Frequently Asked Questions (or a link to your FAQ page) at the top. The more someone knows about you and your business up front, the more likely they are to end up doing business with you.

Some people may click through to your Contact page before they’re actually ready to get started. Instead of letting them slip through the cracks, display links to your active social media profiles and/or a sign-up form for your mailing list to keep you top of mind when they’re ready to move forward.

Next Steps

Watch this video to see some uniquely effective Contact pages.

Study your own Contact page and think about ways to make it more effective.

Welcome to the second post in my series about the key pages of your website! If you missed the first post, I encourage you go back and read Is your website giving you strong results? Creating an Effective Homepage or Welcome Page. Now, you may well be thinking that your homepage is the most important […]

Now, you may well be thinking that your homepage is the most important page on your site. That used to be the case, but not any more.

Or you might think your Services page is the most important, but unless your business is truly one-of-a-kind, there are lots of others who offer the same or similar services. What distinguishes your business most from your competitors is YOU.

Because it highlights the factors that make you unique, your About page could very well be the most important one. Take advantage of this space by including key details that will engage your target audience.

Share your story

People want to get to know you before they’ll even consider doing business with you. So, instead of hiding behind your business, get out there and share your story on your About page!

If you’re a solo professional or run a small business, forming a personal connection with your target market is gold. Prospective clients will usually be more comfortable contacting you if they have a sense of who you are as a person, especially if you’ll be going to their homes or places of business. If you’re concerned that focusing on you rather than your company will make your business look small, consider describing yourself as the Owner, Founder, or CEO.

I’m not saying you should share everything with the world. There are lots of things that you want to keep private, and rightfully so. In most cases, your clients and prospects don’t need or even want to know the nitty gritty details of your childhood, your marriage, or other personal information.

However, explaining the turning points that led to where you are today will go a long way to letting potential clients get to know, like, and trust you. Tell them about:

Who you work with, and why you chose that particular market

The experiences that drove your decision to start your business

Your successes, which demonstrate why you’re great at what you do

Your failures, which illustrate why you’re the best fit for your ideal client

Your goals, dreams and future plans

Your story might go something like this:

A turning point in my life was …

These are the steps I took to change my situation …

I discovered that others were having similar experiences …

So now I …

Even if you’re part of a large corporation and not directly involved with clients, your About page should demonstrate the company’s values, not just dry details such as when it was founded, mergers and acquisitions, and the like.

Use great photos

There are quite a few options when it comes to the photos on your About page. Depending on the structure of your business, you might include:

Formal headshots or portraits of yourself

Headshots of other team members

Photos of you and your team on the job

A group shot of your team

1. Whatever you do, don’t use stock photos on your About page.

Be you, be real, be honest.

Once I met a woman I knew only through email and her website. I was thrown off to discover that she didn’t have long straight brown hair, but short curly blonde hair. It didn’t matter what she looked like, but I had assumed that the person portrayed on her website was actually her. Yes, I know what they say about assuming, but you get my point.

2. To be taken seriously, consider investing in professional photography.

Before you book a photographer, start thinking about the image you want to present.

Will you dress up or down?

Will you do your own hair and makeup or hire a stylist?

What’s most comfortable for you?

A good photographer will allow you to change outfits during the shoot, so you can choose several images without it being obvious they were all taken at the same time.

3. Don’t make the mistake of trying to look professional and corporate if that’s not really who you are.

4. If professional photography just isn’t in the budget, make sure you choose good quality images that represent you and your business well.

Don’t use photos that are out of focus or too dark to clearly see the subject.

And if you’re cropping your headshot out of a larger picture, be careful you don’t cut off too much (a head with no neck is rather unsettling) or too little (nobody needs to see your husband’s left shoulder).

Focus on your reader

Although your About page is seemingly about you, when it comes down to it, it’s really about your target audience.

Everything you include on the page should help them get to know, like, and trust you, and to understand why you’re the one who can provide the solutions they need.

Do a good job with your About page, and they’ll fall in love with you before you’ve even had your first conversation.

You know the important role of a website in growing a profitable business. But is your website doing its job? Is it presenting the best first impression of you and your brand? Does it confidently proclaim your expertise? Do visitors instantly know what you do and who you work with? If you can’t answer those questions with a resounding “Yes!” your […]

You know the important role of a website in growing a profitable business. But is your website doing its job?

Is it presenting the best first impression of you and your brand?

Does it confidently proclaim your expertise?

Do visitors instantly know what you do and who you work with?

If you can’t answer those questions with a resounding “Yes!” your website could definitely use some work.

When someone lands on your site and doesn’t immediately understand what you do, your chances of holding their interest are pretty slim. And if you don’t capture their attention within a few seconds, they’re likely to click off the page and never return. Yikes!

Clearly, your website has a big job to do, and it has to do it quickly. Some say in three seconds or less!

First impressions are important, and you simply can’t afford to waste those precious few seconds with a new visitor.

With a well-planned website, you’ll enjoy:

Better name recognition

More partnership opportunities

Increased sales and profits

Higher fees

More speaking engagements

In addition, your website will present the professional, polished image you want the world to see.

Creating an Effective Homepage or Welcome Page

Your homepage or welcome page is often the first thing visitors see when they arrive on your site. For that reason, it should quickly inform them who you are, what you do, and most importantly, what’s in it for them.

I really can’t stress that last point enough. Keep in mind that before you can show potential clients how you can help them achieve their goals, you must have a clear vision of your target market!

A lot of people struggle with their homepage. Some see it as simply a gateway to the rest of their site and include next to no meaningful content. Others try to include so much that visitors can easily get overwhelmed, not knowing where to look or what to click on.

The perfect balance is to include just enough to let your ideal client know they’re in the right place and guide them toward the next step in their buying journey.

In a recent blog post, my colleague Imogen Allen recommended the following elements to make your homepage effective:

Simple navigation

A “hero” section that provides a quick snapshot of your business

An overview of your main services

A clear call to action

Social proof in the form of testimonials

A valuable lead magnet to encourage email signups

A footer which includes links and/or other information that should be readily available throughout your site

Homepage Example

When you look at the Basic Organization homepage, you’ll see all of these elements strategically positioned.

The navigation is simple, consisting of only the five key pages.

There’s a hero section which includes a snapshot of the business, including a short video.

The main services are clearly featured, with links to additional details.

The call to action appears prominently in various positions on the page.

The testimonial slider provides social proof.

The footer includes links to other key pages, contact information, social media links, and a signup form for the e-newsletter. Offering a free gift to new subscribers, often referred to as a lead magnet, would make this even more effective.

Next Steps

Study your own homepage. How many of these elements do you have? Would a homepage makeover help you get better results from your website?

If you need to develop a strategy for your homepage, or even your entire website, why not schedule a telephone call or Zoom session? I’d love to help you achieve your business goals, so I’ve cut the prices in half until April 30th.

I’ve been hosting the Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival (formerly Professional Organizers Blog Carnival) on Your Organizing Business every month since June 2009. This month, the topic is The Organizing / Productivity Expert’s Office. While reading some of the posts my readers submitted, I remembered writing something similar in the past. It was no longer […]

I’ve been hosting the Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival (formerly Professional Organizers Blog Carnival) on Your Organizing Business every month since June 2009. This month, the topic is The Organizing / Productivity Expert’s Office.

While reading some of the posts my readers submitted, I remembered writing something similar in the past. It was no longer online, but I found a copy which I’m sharing with you today, along with some updates.

Here’s my original post from 2007, when I was a professional organizer/virtual assistant.

The Organized Assistant’s Desks

Professional Organizers Monica Ricci and Ariane Benefit have recently posted pictures of their desks on their blogs and challenged their readers to do the same, so here are mine.

The first one is obviously my computer workstation, and there’s rarely anything on it other than a cup of coffee or a piece of paper or two related to what I’m working on at the moment, because there just isn’t room for anything else. I realize a bigger workstation might have been more efficient, but I had the big desk in the second photo long before I even thought of starting my own business, and I can’t bear to part with it.

Other than the phone/fax machine and two-tier tray in the corner (top is my inbox, bottom is stuff to be filed), nearly everything on my desk was a gift, or contained a gift at one time. For example:

small wooden chest – came with small jars of jam in it – now holds small items such as stamps, tape, white-out, and so on – from a friend

coffee mug with picture of a cat on it holds pens, pencils, scissors, etc. – from my husband (there is a crack in it, so can’t be used for beverages any more)

leather file holder came with chocolate and other goodies and was a gift on my recent birthday from my nephew and his wife

I tidied up a little bit before taking the pictures, but not much. This is pretty typical for me. During the day whatever file I am working on will be on my desk, but when I’m done with it, it will either go back in the file holder (if there is still work to be done on that project), in my desk drawer (if I expect to work on that file again in the near future), or in my filing cabinet (if I don’t expect to work on it again any time soon).

I developed the habit of clearing off my desk at the end of each day nearly 20 years ago, when I worked for Effem Foods (Mars Candy Company), and it’s a strategy I often recommend to my organizing clients and in my organizing presentations.

And here’s what my office is like today.

Janet Barclay, Web Designer’s Office

As you can see, I still have the big old desk, as well as the three gift items I mentioned in the older post, and quite a few other things. I can hardly believe I’ve had them that long! The fax machine has been gone since we got rid of the landline in 2016. The two-tier tray is also gone, since I no longer have enough paper to need it.

The separate computer desk hasn’t been needed since I switched to a laptop in the late 2000s, and is now Scott’s workstation. I have my laptop connected to a 24″ monitor so I can have two screens open at once – if you’ve never tried this, you wouldn’t believe how much more productive you can be when you don’t have to keep switching back and forth from one window to another. Beyond that is my photo scanner, which I bought not too long ago (and immediately fell in love with) when the scanner in my multi-function printer (barely shows at the left of the current photo; replaced the separate printer and scanner a number of years ago) stopped playing nicely with my computer.

The black binder in the older photo was where I kept track of my projects. Now I keep most of my notes in OneNote. I didn’t clear my desk for the current photo, so you can see that I still use paper – the blue notebook is for taking notes during phone calls, the steno pad is to keep track of what I’ve done on various projects, and the sheet of paper is a six-month calendar where I plot out what I’ll be working on in the weeks and months to come.

Good communication is the key to all successful relationships, including the one between you and your web designer. When things don’t go as planned, it can nearly always be attributed to a lack of communication. I’ve listed below 12 ways you can form a better connection with your designer before, during, after and throughout your […]

Good communication is the key to all successful relationships, including the one between you and your web designer. When things don’t go as planned, it can nearly always be attributed to a lack of communication.

I’ve listed below 12 ways you can form a better connection with your designer before, during, after and throughout your web design project. Following these steps will ensure that your project is completed on time and within your budget.

Before the Project

1. Tell your designer as much as you can about your business and what you want to achieve from your website.

Providing a clear picture of your target market, competition and goals will go a long way towards helping your designer create a website that will give you the results you need.

2. If you’re seeking a redesign, let your website designer know why.

Tell them exactly what’s working on your current site, so you don’t lose whatever benefits you’re receiving from it.

It’s just as important to tell them what you think is wrong with your site so they can develop the best solution for you. You never know – they might even be able to address those issues by making changes to your existing website without doing a full redesign, reducing your investment. Here’s an example.

Keep in mind that a new web design on its own won’t transform your business any more than a new shirt will change your life.

3. Give your web designer examples of sites you like and explain what you like about them.

Try to provide examples from within and outside your industry. Although your website will be unique to you and your business, this exercise will give your designer a sense what you find appealing.

Explaining why you like particular websites is important because we all see things differently. A client once gave me examples of sites that she liked that were so dramatically different that I didn’t understand what she wanted. Only by getting specific were we able to pinpoint what she was going for.

4. Give your designer examples of websites you don’t like and explain why.

Taking features and formats you don’t like off the table will help your designer to narrow down their ideas and eliminate revisions. This in turn will give you a quicker turnaround on the project and possibly lower your costs, depending on the number of revisions included in the price.

If they set up a shared folder on Google Drive, Dropbox, or a project management system for you, use it. This will make their job easier, because everything they need will be organized and in one place. As a result, they’ll be able to complete your project more quickly.

Email is usually not the best way to share files. Image files are often quite large, which can use up space and/or clog up the system, depending on what email programs you and your designer use. In addition, with multiple emails sent at different times, there’s a chance that something might get overlooked.

During the Project

6. Stay in touch.

My most successful website projects came about when my client and I had regular phone calls or Zoom meetings to review progress and discuss next steps. Email may be quicker, but conversations are far more likely to lead to ideas that might not have surfaced otherwise.

7. Avoid the temptation to reach out every time you have a question or request.

As a general rule, stick to one email per day. If you’re afraid of forgetting something, save your email as a draft and add to it until you’re sure it’s complete. As you know, multiple emails can be overwhelming, and they often result in something being overlooked.

Delays of a couple of days or even weeks might not seem like a big deal to you, but keep in mind that your designer has to earn a living. If they don’t hear back from you when expected, they may take on another project and you’ll then have to wait for them to have another opening in their schedule before they’ll resume working on yours.

9. Tell your designer if something comes up that will take you away from the project.

Life happens; we all get that. Nobody expects you to focus on your new website if you’re ill, caring for a family member, or inundated with your own client work.

At the same time, you can’t expect your designer to keep you on their schedule indefinitely. They’ll be much more receptive to fitting you back in if you’ve kept them apprised of the situation than if you simply go MIA.

After the Project

10. Go over your new website with a fine-toothed comb and report any problems you find.

Although your designer will test everything before and after your site is launched, they’re human too, and may miss something. The sooner you let them know, the better. If you come back several months later to tell them about an issue, you may have to pay to have it addressed.

11. Ask what you need to do to maintain your website.

Some designers also offer website maintenance services. If you sign up for a Website Care Plan, find out what it does and does not include.

If you choose to maintain your own site, ask your designer for any passwords you might need and whether they will provide training.

Throughout the Project

12. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. We try not to confuse our clients with technical jargon, but sometimes we forget.

Clear and open communication will help both parties to stay happy and produce the best results at the end of the day. That’s why communication with my clients is an important aspect of the way I work.

Let’s Talk!

Have you ever had a communication breakdown with a client or service provider? How did you deal with it?

When you launched your blog, did you develop a plan first, or did you just dive in? Although it may be easier just to start writing, you need to decide on a number of factors, including the voice of your blog. A good blog needs a clear and consistent voice that is communicated on every page. Consistency […]

When you launched your blog, did you develop a plan first, or did you just dive in?

Although it may be easier just to start writing, you need to decide on a number of factors, including the voice of your blog. A good blog needs a clear and consistent voice that is communicated on every page. Consistency helps you create a brand and build a trusting relationship with your readers.

The Elements of a Blog Voice

What does ‘blog voice’ mean? It sounds simple but it’s made up of a number of different elements including personality, beliefs, tone, style, and type of content.

Voice is the distinct personality, style, or point of view of a piece of writing or any other creative work. Voice is what Simon Cowell is talking about when he tells “American Idol” contestants to make a song their own and not just do a note-for-note karaoke version. — Julie Wildhaber

It’s especially important to let your personality come through. Otherwise your blog may seem dull and formal. As well as supplying information, it needs to be engaging and speak to your readers’ emotions.

Your Ideal Reader

The best way to determine the elements of your voice is to imagine your perfect reader. If you can picture this person clearly, you can write as though you were speaking directly to him or her.

It may take a bit of research. Find out which demographics are important parts of your market. Find out what they like and dislike. Learn about how they feel, what they want out of life, and how they see themselves. Some people even draw a physical picture of their ideal reader and look at it when they write!

Your Blog’s Image

Once you’ve got a clear image of your readers in mind, create an image for your blog that will appeal to them. Consider your business’s unique selling proposition. The key question to ask yourself here is ‘How is my blog different than other blogs in my industry?’

The answer to this question lies in the specific niche you choose for your blog. One of the biggest mistakes bloggers make is trying to be everything to everyone. The truth is that no niche is too specific (unless it’s a market of one person). You need to carve out a unique place for yourself in the blogosphere that will set your blog apart.

Finding Your Voice

Finding your unique voice is something all writers must do. If you’re going to blog, you’ve got to consider yourself a writer, even if you don’t have formal training or professional writing experience.

Read different blogs to see how the voice differs. Some write in a very personal style, some are humorous or slightly outrageous, some write posts that are short and to the point.

Find your own style of writing that you enjoy and that resonates with your readers.

Let’s Talk!

Do you have a clearly defined voice for your blog? How did you come up with it?

I haven’t blogged about my photography hobby since the end of 2017, so I’ll start by bringing you up to date. I participated in 52Frames throughout 2018, but skipped a couple of weeks when my husband was in the hospital, so I missed out becoming a “Weekly Warrior” (what they call someone who has posted […]

I haven’t blogged about my photography hobby since the end of 2017, so I’ll start by bringing you up to date.

I participated in 52Frames throughout 2018, but skipped a couple of weeks when my husband was in the hospital, so I missed out becoming a “Weekly Warrior” (what they call someone who has posted 52 weeks in a row). I think I created some really good images as a result, many of which I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. However, some weeks the theme just wasn’t up my alley, so I spent a lot of time and mental energy coming up with something, only to end up posting something I wasn’t really happy with. In addition, it’s a huge community, with sometimes more than a thousand participants, so I found it difficult to really appreciate all the other submissions and to feel connected to the other photographers. For those reasons, I decided not to continue last year.

After dabbling with the CaptureYour365 Photo Challenge off and on for several years, I started again in May 2019 and kept it up for the rest of the year, posting to Instagram every day.

These are my photos that generated the most Likes on Instagram last year:

I’m happy that no selfies ended up in the mix!

Unfortunately, Katrina Kennedy, who created CY365, decided to wrap it up at the end of the year.

I explored other photo challenges but decided that now that I’m in the habit of posting daily, I can do this on my own. Having no prompts takes away my accountability, but I’ve had so many people tell me how much they enjoy and even look forward to seeing my photos (thank you!) that my motivation is pretty high. In addition, having no prompts means I’m free to follow my own creativity, and can work on some of the photo ideas I’ve been saving up over many years.

One of my favorite year-end activities is looking back at the books I’ve read over the past 12 months, and Goodreads makes this pretty easy. I wanted to tell you which title was my favorite, but it’s too hard, so here are my top five, in no particular order: For more details, I invite you […]

One of my favorite year-end activities is looking back at the books I’ve read over the past 12 months, and Goodreads makes this pretty easy.

I wanted to tell you which title was my favorite, but it’s too hard, so here are my top five, in no particular order:

For more details, I invite you to check out My Year in Books. Just click on any book cover to read my reviews and ratings.

At the bottom of the page it shows that I read 45 of the 50 books I set for my 2019 Reading Challenge. I’m not disappointed, as I mainly set a goal so I can keep track how many I’ve read, but I’m not going to bother next year. One less thing to think about!

I will, however, be taking Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2020 Reading Challenge again. I’ve completed it three times and have found it a wonderful way to expand my reading horizons. Here are the categories and titles I read for 2019:

A book you’ve been meaning to read

A book in the backlist of a favorite author

Three books by the same author #1

A book about a topic that fascinates you

Recommended by someone with good taste

Three books by the same author #2

A book you chose for the cover

A book outside your (genre) comfort zone

Three books by the same author #3

A book by an author who is new to you

A book published before you were born

A book in translation

Some of the categories are repeated for 2020, but that’s definitely not a problem!